Linear Moorage Systems

I don't know exactly how the moorings are set up in Echo bay. Linear mooring means that all of the boats are lined up, and not fee to swing on a single point mooring. For example if the boat is moored with a bow and stern line, this is a linear mooring.

There are several kinds of this type. One can have a single anchor for each boat's bow and stern. Many will use the stern of the boat ahead of it for the bow of the next boat down the line. This system is also used in piling mooring, where one boat uses a piling for its stern, the next boat uses that piling for its bow. There is also the "string line" type of mooring--such as used at Catalina near the shore--or even in the med, with huge battle ship chains. In this mooring, there is a rope or chain in the center, and boats tie off on each side. There is also a stern anchor, or stern chain, which the stern line is attached to, and thus all of the boats are perpendicular to this "string line"on both sides of it.

You can also describe a dock as having linear mooring, which all boats tie along side, vs Med mooring, where the bow is anchored out--or out to a mooring XX feet from a sea wall, and then stern lines taken to the sea wall or dock--in the latter many more boats can be accommodated at a dock than along side.
 
Like Bob said, bow and stern tie to a rope and floats that are laid out some distance between 2 piling. I doubt you will like them for a C-Dory as the ropes are usually higher than your gunnel. I tried mooring to the one on the back side of Blake Island in my sailboat and although it fit better, I still didn't like it. Noisy with the floats bouncing off the hull in the waves.
 
I will probably try to stay somewhere else but wanted to be prepared, thanks for the replies!

I assume these are not floating, and that enough line should be used to accommodate tide changes...?
 
This system can be floating, or fixed. Also there are also often "Sand lines" these are weighted lines which attach between the bow and stern moorings, especially if floating buoy's are used. When you pick up the bow pennant, then you secure the bow with the larger rope, then go pick up the smaller "sand line" and walk it along the side of your boat to pick up the stern line.

I prefer to use some three strand lines thru the loops of mooring lines rather than put large loops of line aboard the C Dory cleats. It is neater, safer (to get away if necessary) and does not get the marine growth on the boat or scratch the boat.

Angel Island in San Francisco has floating buoys that are some distance apart (maybe about 100 feet?) Again you have to supply the lines between the buoys. If you are using this type of mooring, it is nice to have hooks to deploy in the ring of the floating buoys, rather than running lines thru them.

The most difficult ones we have encountered were in Venice, Italy, where the pilings were over 100 feet apart, and there was some current against wind as we came in. We ended up Marie using the dinghy to get both lines for and aft around these large pilings, while I maneuvered the boat.
 
I've been to Sucia a couple of times and we've always used a mooring ball; Judy hates to anchor. I honestly think that anchoring is better, but then I don't run the ship. Either will do.

Never used one of those tie lines and after this discussion, I guess I never will.

Boris
 
Dustin,
Only Echo Bay has the linear moorage system. There are mooring balls and dock space at other locations at Sucia, so don't let that one system stop you from visiting Sucia. (Echo Bay also has mooring balls). We usually go to Fossil Bay which has mooring balls and two docks. We have been successful at finding dock space at Fossil Bay, but dock space in the summer months is a bit iffy ...all about timing when a vessel departs from the dock when you arrive.
 
We try to avoid the linear moorage...period! We stayed there at Sucia once, no damage for us but too many reports of scuff marks all the way down the hull and other damage from the hard "fenders" along the mooring line. Its worth noting that other parks/marinas are not rushing to install linear moorage.
 
localboy":3fhug31b said:
We like Shallow Bay. The sunsets there are hard to beat. I even told M to spread half my ashes there....
Click to expand...

funny, I told my wife to spread mine in the Sound as well. thank you for the note on Shallow Bay. I will make it a must be destination for at least one night then!!


DaveS":3fhug31b said:
Dustin,
Only Echo Bay has the linear moorage system. There are mooring balls and dock space at other locations at Sucia, so don't let that one system stop you from visiting Sucia. (Echo Bay also has mooring balls). We usually go to Fossil Bay which has mooring balls and two docks. We have been successful at finding dock space at Fossil Bay, but dock space in the summer months is a bit iffy ...all about timing when a vessel departs from the dock when you arrive.
Click to expand...

I definitely wont let it stop me. Sucia is my 'main event' planned cruise this year, in August. My first choice would be a dock, however I am comfortable with a mooring buoy as well since I know our dinghy is up to snuff. I just wanted to be aware of my options so I can adjust as needed when I show up.

I have only slept on the hook once, but I was tied to another larger boat and felt secure in his anchor. I haven't tested it yet with mine. I'm sure I'd be fine, but I'd probably not sleep well at first, checking it every 20 minutes... I really should do it, and practice in a safe place like Quartermaster Harbor or something.
 
There is also a linear moorage system in Reid Harbor on Stuart Island. I tried it just for practice for a couple of hours. Don't think I would want to sleep there.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
I tried to use the linear moorage at Reid Hbr on Stuart Is, in the San Juans in my 22 Cruiser. The line with hard fenders was above the gunnel and ripped off a nav light. We left that monster and anchored. These things are NOT boat friendly!
 
good to know about this type of moorage as I had not heard of it. we too will be up there in august 20-24 with Sucia on our radar for a night as well,
 
One thought about a trick for "mooring buoys" which might be used on this type of system. A pool noodle, with a piece of 3/4" Schedule 80 pipe in the middle--with a 3/8" to 1/2" 3 strand nylon line threaded thru the center. The pvc will keep the mooring buoy, line, etc pushed away from the boat--and the pool noodle provides padding, so noting hits, or bangs against the boat. For a mooring buoy, you want the full Pool noodle length. It is possible that you could use "standoffs" with short pieces of pool noodle and the pipe on the cleat by the spring line cleat by the side window, and the stern cleat. Then use spring lines to keep the boat in position for and aft. This may work if the line is below the gunnel, maybe not if above….depends on which want the wind/current moves the boat.

Another trick is to keep several rectangles of canvas or sunbrella with either tabs, loops in corners and middle, or grommets. We use these to protect the boat from dirty docks, sea walls, fenders or like the small "buoy/fenders" on the line. These can also be used for shade, sitting on the dock, dog pads and a myriad of other uses.
 
Hi Bob,

You said

Angel Island in San Francisco has floating buoys that are some distance apart (maybe about 100 feet?) Again you have to supply the lines between the buoys. If you are using this type of mooring, it is nice to have hooks to deploy in the ring of the floating buoys, rather than running lines thru them.

Can you explain what you means by hooks in the rings? Just not seeing it.

Thanks,
Steve
 
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